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The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly willing to listen to trade offers for first baseman Matt Adams as the team looks to clear an infield logjam this offseason.

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Cardinals Willing To Discuss Offers For Adams

Thursday, Dec. 15

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reported Thursday that Adams is a “change of scenery candidate” with St. Louis likely turning to Matt Carpenter at first.

Adams is coming off an up-and-down season with the Cardinals during which he hit .249 with 16 home runs across 118 games. It marked the third time in the last four years he tallied at least 15 homers, but his career on-base percentage stands at a mundane .314.

Injuries are one thing that have held back the 28-year-old infielder at times. He’s played more than 120 games just once in four full seasons at the big-league level. The most serious issue was a torn quadriceps muscle that limited him to 60 appearances in 2015.

Andy Call of MLB.com passed along comments from Adams about being forced to accept any level of involvement after his latest injury comeback, this time a shoulder issue, back in September.

“Whatever my role is during the last part of the season, I’m willing to accept it,” Adams said. “Whatever will help this team win. If my role is to come off the bench and pinch-hit, I’m all for it. I’ve been good in the past with that.”

The question marks about his ability to make a consistent impact make him an obvious trade candidate as the Cardinals look to upgrade elsewhere.

They currently have seven infielders to fill four starting spots, with Adams, Greg Garcia and Jhonny Peralta ticketed for bench roles based on the current roster. It would make sense to seek a move that could help upgrade the bullpen or bring in a reserve outfielder.

Adams is a worthwhile buy-low target, assuming the Cardinals’ asking price is reasonable, for a team needing an upgrade at either first base or designated hitter. Moving to the American League to fill the latter role would be ideal given his injury history.

The Pennsylvania native possesses enough pop to provide between 20 and 25 home runs if he can stay healthy for 150 or more games. But that would require a starting role, something he’s not likely to hold if he sticks with the Cardinals in 2016.

An old baseball adage suggests “you can never have enough pitching,” and most of the high-profile movement this offseason, both in terms of free agency and trades, is backing up that notion. Front offices around the league are paying sizable prices to improve their rotations and bullpens.

Expect more of the same leading up to spring training since there’s still a talented group of starters available via trade. And there’s plenty of demand among contenders as they look to keep pace with the likes of the reigning champion Chicago Cubs and likely offseason winner Boston Red Sox.

With that in mind, let’s check out some of the latest trade buzz from around MLB and analyze what it could mean for the players and teams involved.

Rays Seeking King’s Ransom for Chris Archer

Chris Archer didn’t live up to expectations leading the Tampa Bay Rays staff this past season. The 28-year-old right-hander went 9-19 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 33 starts. Those numbers represented his worst performance since a brief six-game cameo in 2012.

Things weren’t as bad as they may seem on the surface, though. He posted a more typical 3.25 ERA after the All-Star break and still struck out an eye-popping 233 batters in 201.1 innings. His 3.41 xFIP for the season was also below his career average, according to FanGraphs.

That’s why the Rays still want a boatload in return if they decide to trade him. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported the front office is seeking a package bigger than the one the Chicago White Sox received for Chris Sale, which included prized prospects YoanMoncada and Michael Kopech.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com previously noted Archer was the most likely trade target for the Atlanta Braves, but they felt the asking price was too high. The latest update from Topkin explains why.

Of course, there’s no rush for Tampa to make a deal. The starter remains under team control for five more years at club-friendly prices of no more than $8.25 million, per Spotrac. It adds to his value and takes away some of the risk associated with a potential trade.

The Braves make sense as a landing spot. They are looking to turn the corner after a rebuild and have bolstered their rotation with veterans Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey and Jaime Garcia. An ace is still needed, however, but it sounds like they’ll wait to see if the price drops before going all-in on Archer.

Clay Buchholz Being Pushed into Market

Clay Buchholz is an enigma. There are certain years, like 2010 (2.33 ERA) and 2013 (1.74 ERA), when he performs like one of the top pitchers in baseball. Alas, there are also certain seasons, like 2016 (4.78 ERA), when he pitches on a level barely worthy of a major league roster spot.

The 32-year-old Texas native did pitch better down the stretch last season. He accumulated a 3.22 ERA in 19 appearances split between the rotation and bullpen after the All-Star break. It was a much-needed turnaround after finishing the first half with a 5.91 mark.

Now it seems like the Red Sox may try to capitalize on his resurgence by moving him while the pitching market is hot. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported the front office is trying to sell teams on Buchholz rather than Drew Pomeranz as it looks to clear a pitching logjam.

The Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners are among the teams that have called Boston about possibly acquiring a starter, according to Cafardo. He pointed out the veteran’s $13.5 million contract for 2017 is a hurdle in talks, though.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is having a strong offseason, but getting value for Buchholz will be a challenge. Not only is the contract a problem, but the peripheral statistics don’t lend a ton of hope to a major rebound next season.

A team like the Twins is probably Boston’s best bet to unload him. Minnesota continues to lean far too heavily on pitchers with low strikeout potential, and it could still use another starter after Jose Berrios struggled mightily in his first taste of action in the majors in 2016.

Houston Astros Casting Wide Pitching Net

The Houston Astros are prepared to make some serious noise next season. They added Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick and NoriAoki to help create one of the league’s most well-rounded lineups, and they’re already strong in the bullpen, where so many other teams are looking to upgrade.

While the starting rotation lacks star power outside of Dallas Keuchel, it’s still a rock-solid group that’s probably good enough to guide the team to the playoffs as it sits. Adding another starter with No. 1 or No. 2 ability could move Houston toward title contention, though.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported the Astros are making an effort in that area, adding, “The team has the prospects to get a deal done and is likely to make a move at some point.” He listed Jose Quintana, Jake Odorizzi, Danny Duffy, YordanoVentura and Archer as notable targets.

Aside from Archer, Quintana is the name that stands out most from the group. The 27-year-old lefty has been one of the most reliable starters in baseball since making his debut in 2012. He holds a career 3.41 ERA and has never finished a season with a mark above 3.76.

If the Astros could acquire him for a package of prospects to take the spot where Charlie Morton is penciled in, it’d become hard to find a weak spot on the roster. Such a move would push the team all-in for next season, but it feels like a leap worth taking after years of building.

Minnesota Twins minor league pitcher Yorman Landa died early Saturday morning following an automobile accident in his native Venezuela. He was 22.

Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com passed along the news, including a statement from the Twins via chief baseball officer Derek Falvey:

The Minnesota Twins are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking loss of Yorman Landa early this morning in Venezuela. On behalf of the entire baseball community, we send our sincerest condolences to the Landa family as well as Yorman’s many friends, coaches and teammates.

Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press provided details about the accident from Daniel Szew, Landa’s agent, who stated the pitcher was the only person killed. He was riding in the passenger seat of a car driven by his father, and there were four or five people in the vehicle, which struck a fallen tree.

“The ambulance took quite a while to get there,” Szew said. “He was literally the nicest kid. He was my little brother.”

Landa joined the Twins organization as a 16-year-old prospect in 2010. He started his journey through the club’s minor league system in the 2011 Dominican Summer League and reached the Florida State League at the Class A Advanced level this past season.

The right-handed reliever made 31 appearances out of the Fort Myers Miracle bullpen in 2016 and finished with a 3.24 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 41.2 innings.

He earned a spot in the league’s All-Star Game in June, and David Dorsey of the News-Press noted at the time the pitcher was thrilled.

“It’s good to play with them, because they’re the best in the league,” Landa said.

Landa made 130 appearances, including 26 starts, between the Twins organization and the Venezuelan Winter League from 2011 to 2016. He posted a 2.97 ERA and 1.33 WHIP while striking out 241 batters in 257.2 innings.

The first five weeks since the Chicago Cubs captured their first World Series title in 108 years have generated one of the most action-packed starts to an MLB offseason in recent memory. From blockbuster trades to lucrative free-agent signings, contenders haven’t hesitated to make splashes.

Now, the question is whether the frenzy will continue straight through the holidays and into the new year or if the movement will begin to calm down following the hectic initial surge. For the sake of entertainment, most baseball fans are probably hoping for the former.

So let’s check out some of the latest rumors making their way around the league and analyze what the potential moves could mean for the players and teams involved.

Multiple Teams Check on Jose Quintana

Quintana, who often got lost in the shadow of the recently departed Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, was quietly one of the best starting pitchers in the American League last season. He ranked seventh in the Junior Circuit with a 3.20 ERA while striking out 181 batters in 208 innings.

The 27-year-old Colombia native has also been one of the most reliable starters in baseball since breaking into the majors in 2012. He’s never finished a campaign with an ERA above 3.76, and he’s taken the mound at least 32 times in four straight years.

With the White Sox trending toward a complete rebuild, however, he could become the next high-profile asset shipped out for a package of prospects. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros are among the teams showing serious interest.

The Astros are a perfect fit on paper if they’re able to acquire the talented lefty without having to give up any crucial pieces from the major league roster. They own one of the most potent lineups in baseball, thanks to new additions Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann, and they feature a strong bullpen.

While the rotation is solid, led by Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh, it’s the one area where they could still use another high-end asset. Quintana fits the bill after last season, and it makes sense to make a strong push to acquire him with the rest of the roster ready to contend.

Cardinals Set High Price on Kolten Wong

Wong is coming off a down year offensively for the St. Louis Cardinals. While he posted a career-best .327 on-base percentage, the second baseman contributed just five home runs and seven stolen bases. Both numbers were roughly half the production he provided over the previous two years.

Add in the fact the Cardinals are overcrowded in the infield—with seven players to fill four spots—and other teams may view the situation as a chance to buy low on the slick fielder. It doesn’t appear the St. Louis front office is going to bite on the offers, though.

Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reported the Los Angeles Angels expressed interest in Wong during the league’s winter meetings. But he noted the Cards are “unlikely” to trade him away and are still asking for a lot in return to even consider it.

It could be a bit of posturing by St. Louis, though. The team likely needs to do something to alleviate the infield logjam before the start of next season, and moving Wong this winter after the drop-off in his offensive involvement would help do that.

Meanwhile, the Angels could use an upgrade at second base, as Cliff Pennington is penciled in as the projected starter. Wong would represent a nice upgrade for a team that ranked in the bottom third of baseball in fielding percentage last season.

Alex Colome Joins Group of Reliever Targets

Colome was nothing short of dominant in his first season as the Tampa Bay Rays closer. The converted starter posted a microscopic 1.91 ERA to go along with a 1.02 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 56.2 innings en route to 37 saves with just three blown opportunities.

Those numbers are even more valuable because he’s part of the most coveted group of players this offseason: relievers capable of pitching multiple high-leverage innings. Each championship hopeful wants one in its bullpen after the success of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller in the playoffs.

Whether the Rays would move Colome is unclear because he’s still under team control for an additional four years, per Spotrac. It’s at least being discussed, though. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the Nationals have spoken with Tampa about the closer.

Washington has been linked to virtually every notable late-inning reliever on the free-agent and trade markets since the offseason got underway. It’s a spot of definite need for the reigning NL East champions, who otherwise have a roster built for success once again in 2017.

A Colome trade would come with legitimate risk. He only has one full season of bullpen work under his belt, and the asking price is likely high due to his age (27) and favorable contract situation. But it’s a chance a team like the Nats may feel is worth taking to fill a key void.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Alex Colome has reportedly become a coveted trade target amid an offseason in which bullpen upgrades are all the rage around Major League Baseball.

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Nats Showing Interest in Colome

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported Wednesday the Washington Nationals have spoken to the Rays about a potential deal for the closer.

Colome is coming off a dominant year pitching the ninth inning in Tampa. He posted a 1.91 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 71 strikeouts in 56.2 innings across 57 appearances en route to 37 saves. While his career numbers aren’t that great, he still sports a 3.10 ERA in 108 games.

The 27-year-old Dominican Republic native came through the Rays system as a starter, and he enjoyed moderate success in that role early in his major league career. But his combination of a mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider always gave him more potential as a high-leverage bullpen weapon.

Tampa committed to him in that role to open 2016, and the results spoke for themselves.

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com spoke with Colome in June following a strong start that eventually earned him a selection to the All-Star Game, and he stated there wasn’t any preference about how he’s used:

I really can’t say how they saw me in the minor leagues as a reliever or a starter because before you get to the big leagues, you don’t know what a team has planned for you. They gave me the opportunity as a reliever and they saw how I worked. But what has always been my focus is having faith and show up every day when I was given the chance, whether that’s as a starter or a reliever, to show what I can do.

While his success makes it no surprise teams are checking on his availability, the Rays would likely be looking for a king’s ransom in return. Not only is he coming off a terrific year, but he’s still under team control for another four years, according to Spotrac.

Add in the fact seemingly every contender is looking to improve its bullpen after the success the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians enjoyed in that area en route to the World Series, and Tampa should be able to land a nice haul of young talent if it decides to trade Colome.

In that regard, the Nationals make a lot of sense. They need pen help to pair with their formidable starting rotation, and Baseball America ranked their farm system among the five best to open 2016, a status that could hold going into 2017 barring a blockbuster deal.

The question is whether Washington would be willing to part with a couple of key pieces from that group in order to bet on Colome remaining a top-tier option next season and beyond.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana could become the next marquee player to leave the organization as the front office continues to shop assets following the trade of ace Chris Sale.

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Nats, Astros Show Interest in Quintana

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Wednesday the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros are both talking with the South Siders about a potential deal for the veteran left-hander.

Quintana has served as one of the most reliable starters in baseball over the past five years. He’s posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 154 appearances (151 starts) over that span. He’s also made at least 32 starts in four straight seasons and never finished with an ERA above 3.76 in any campaign.

The 27-year-old Colombia native is coming off perhaps his most complete season. He compiled a career-low 3.20 ERA, which ranked seventh in the American League, and a 1.16 WHIP while striking out 181 batters in 208 innings.

His success allowed him to earn his first All-Star Game selection in July. He talked about how much the honor meant to him before pitching a scoreless frame in the Midsummer Classic, per Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago.

“That is so great and important to know everyone knows me now,” Quintana said. “I feel more responsible to my city and teammates and organization. I am so happy and hope to enjoy this moment and experience with my family.”

Typically, players with his track record who are under team control for an additional four years aren’t the focus of much trade talk. But Sale’s departure signaled the start of a White Sox rebuild, and Quintana’s value may never be higher given the lackluster group of starters available in free agency.

Daryl Van Schouwen of Chicago Sun-Times passed along comments from general manager Rick Hahn on Monday about the need for a clear direction. He referenced the successful retooling of the crosstown rival and reigning champion Chicago Cubs in the process.

“If you have a plan and you articulate it clearly [to fans]…Certainly in our city it’s easy for them to see the fruits of those hardships on the other side of town. I think people would understand that,” he said.

Quintana should command another impressive group of prospects, though it likely won’t reach the return the White Sox received for Sale. But, if they decide to move him, the combined haul between the two trades would be enough to transform the farm system.

The Nationals and Astros are two teams that have been heavily linked to numerous big names since the offseason got underway. Both clubs are on the cusp on contention heading toward 2017 and adding the underrated lefty would provide a major boost to their playoff chances.

Boston Strong also discussed president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski’s wheeling and dealing:

Sportsnet’s Tim and Sid noted the disappointment north of the border:

It’s a stark contrast from Only In Boston’s take on the Red Sox’s bolstered rotation:

Michael Schlact went with the Moneyball reference:

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is a little worried about Sale’s potential reaction to Boston’s uniform choices following his jersey incident in Chicago last season:

The impact of the trade is wide-ranging, as left-handed-hitting Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis illustrated:

His teammate, Jose Ramirez, was amused by early declarations that the Red Sox are the clear favorites in the American League:

Even if the reigning AL champion Indians aren’t ready to hand over their crown yet, the Red Sox walk away from the deal with an outstanding rotation. Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez and either Clay Buchholz or Drew Pomeranz is tough to beat.

While Boston had to give up an impressive group of young talent, Sale is just 27 and should continue to contend for the Cy Young Award annually with the run support he’ll receive with the Red Sox. Now, the question is how their biggest rivals will try to answer during the rest of the offseason.

The Boston Red Sox acquired relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg from the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday in exchange for a package headlined by third baseman Travis Shaw.

The Brewers officially announced the trade, which also includes shortstop Mauricio Dubon and starting pitcher Josh Pennington joining the Milwaukee organization.

Shaw posted a message on social media about the deal:

Thornburg enjoyed a breakout 2016 campaign for the Brewers. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a 2.15 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 90 strikeouts in 67 innings. He also racked up 20 holds and 13 saves while pitching in high-leverage situations late in games.

The Red Sox already feature one of the best closers in baseball, Craig Kimbrel. The newest addition will likely serve in a setup role alongside lefty Robbie Ross Jr., who accumulated a 1.69 ERA after the All-Star break last season and is especially tough on lefties (.545 OPS).

In addition, the trade appears to suggest Boston is comfortable entering the 2017 season with Pablo Sandoval as its starting third baseman. He struggled mightily after signing a monster contract in 2015 and missed almost all of last season with a shoulder injury.

He owns a clear path to the starting job with Shaw out of the picture, though. The 26-year-old Kent State product had previously beat him out at the hot corner last spring.

Now Shaw will take over at third for Milwaukee. The slugger started the 2016 season strong with seven home runs over the first two months, but he faded from there. He finished the year with a lackluster .306 on-base percentage with 16 homers.

Dubon and Pennington are both future assets. MLB.com ranked Dubon, 22, as the No. 12 prospect in the Boston organization before the trade. Pennington, 21, owns a 2.29 ERA through 20 appearances (19 starts) in the lower levels of the minor leagues.

Ultimately, the Red Sox are betting Sandoval can enjoy a bounce-back season after a forgettable first two years in Boston. If his struggles continue, then the focus will shift to seeing whether highly touted prospect Yoan Moncada is ready for prime time.

As long as either Sandoval or Moncada provides consistent production, it’s a nice deal for the AL East contenders to pick up a reliable late-inning reliever. Meanwhile, Milwaukee fills a void at third and picks up a few promising pieces for the future in the process.

New York selected Jeter with the sixth overall pick in the 1992 draft and, following a rise through the minors, he proceeded to play his entire 20-year professional career in Yankee pinstripes.

The New Jersey native earned 14 All-Star Game selections and helped the team capture five World Series titles during a career that will land him in the Hall of Fame once eligible in 2020. He also won five Gold Gloves, five Silver Sluggers and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting eight times.

The May ceremony will give Yankee fans another chance to show their appreciation for a player who proved himself worthy of being the face of one of the world’s most famous sports franchises for the better part of two decades.

Fan support is something he talked about in the Players’ Tribune after he retired in 2014:

In some ways the major change this year was that it felt like I played a majority of home games. As always, the New York fans were amazing; their response was overwhelming, but not surprising. Yankees fans have been great to me. It’s the reception outside of New York that really was the biggest difference this year. I’ll never forget how the baseball fans across the country have treated me. Ballparks I used to view as enemy territory were transformed with cheers, handshakes and hat tips. If I thought baseball was part of my family before this season, I know now that it’s truly the case. And I am grateful for that.

Of course, it’s also an opportunity to bring the “Core Four” back together. Jeter along with Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada were the stalwarts during the Yankees’ run of success from the mid-1990s until their most recent title in 2009.

Jeter also holds a special place in hearts of Yankees fans because he was a top-flight player who spent his entire career with the organization, a rare accomplishment in a world with free agency. He and the Atlanta Braves‘ Chipper Jones could be among the last of a fading breed.

That’s why the team is giving the longtime shortstop his rightful place alongside a star-studded group of retired numbers that includes the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle as well as all of his buddies from the Core Four.

New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson is generating trade interest as the organization works to clear out an outfield logjam during the offseason.

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Orioles Reportedly Have Interest in Granderson

Thursday, Dec. 1

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported the Baltimore Orioles “seem to have interest” in Granderson but “not really” Jay Bruce.

Mets Open to Trading Granderson for Right Price

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Marc Carig of Newsday reported Wednesday that Granderson is the asset generating the most discussion among other teams after speculation that Bruce would be the one moved. He noted the Mets are open to dealing either player depending on the return package.

Cespedes Deal Could Spell End of Granderson in New York

New York reached an agreement to re-sign prized free agent Yoenis Cespedes on Tuesday. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that it’s a four-year, $110 million deal that comes with a full no-trade clause and that it will be officially announced once he completes a physical.

While it’s a massive step toward a successful offseason for the 2015 National League champions, it also leaves an overabundance of outfielders for three spots. Along with Cespedes, the Mets also have Granderson, Bruce, Michael Conforto and Juan Lagares.

Given the massive contract handed out Tuesday, it’s no surprise the front office would want to move one of the other high-priced options to create some financial wiggle room.

Spotrac noted that Granderson is set to make $15 million in 2017 and that Bruce is pegged at $13 million. Both players will also be playing the final years of their current deals.

Granderson is coming off another solid season in New York. The 35-year-old slugger smacked 30 home runs in 150 games to go along with a .335 on-base percentage and 88 runs scored. He’s no longer the speed threat he was in his prime, but he’s become a reliable power producer.

Maria Guardado of NJ.com passed along comments the veteran made earlier in November about the possibility of getting traded before next season.

“No reason to think about it,” Granderson said. “I just got to go ahead and take it one day at a time. I’ve been in rumors before that never panned out, so unless something absolutely happens, there’s no reason to think about it.”

Heyman reported the Toronto Blue Jays are one possible landing spot if the outfielder does end up getting moved:

The Mets don’t have a ton of areas that they need to improve, but they could still look to upgrade at catcher, where Travis d’Arnaud is the projected starter, and in the bullpen.

Perhaps a proven reliever and a mid-range prospect or two could get the Granderson deal done while helping save the team some money.